Manager hails attitude as Spanish uprising is quelled

Matching the achievements of their fellow townies from St Colman’s College, the girls of Mount St Michael’s booked their own spot in an All-Ireland Post Primary senior football final in some style last Thursday and manager Emma Galligan praised the work ethic of her Claremorris students who got the better of St Joseph’s Spanish Point.

“It was a brilliant win and it was probably a display of how much work they have put in. The girls really had to dig deep during the final ten or fifteen minutes and it was a tough game, and we needed a tough game like that to make sure we are prepared for the final. Even when we were under pressure and conceded the opening goal, our players’ attitude was unreal, especially the way they handled the pressure.” 

Despite having a 13 point lead at the break, Galligan was fully aware of the talent in the ranks of their Munster opponents.

“Yes we had a lead at half-time but we were well aware of the fact that they had nothing to lose when they took to the field for the second-half and we were also aware that they had incredibly dangerous forwards. They have a very talented half-forward line and two corner-forwards that are well capable of getting a goal,” said Emma Galligan.

“Our goalkeeper Alyssa Murphy did really well in the first-half and made a couple of really good saves. We knew that the pressure was going to come and they threw everything at us during the second-half.” 

Mayo senior attacker Bree Hession had an outstanding game for Mount St Michael’s, scoring 3-6 out of their final tally of 4-13, and Emma Galligan said it was teamwork that played a vital role in the victory.

“When you get the football to Bree and she can score then that is great, however, there is also great effort getting the ball to her. There was so much running off the shoulder and movement from Bree and the rest of the girls. Our half-backs even joined the attack on some occasions and a lot of our players were exhausted at the end, but they all played their part in a great team performance.” 

With another All-Ireland final for Claremorris to look forward to, these are memorable days for the town.

“We were saying afterwards that it is great to reach the final, as the boys are in theirs on St Patrick’s Day. It is really nice to see around the town of Claremorris both sets of flags on display from St Colman’s and Mount Saint Michael. It is great for the town that both teams are in All-Ireland finals.

“Our senior girls are also in a Connacht rugby final on Wednesday and we are having a great spell with these girls who are also preparing for their Leaving Certificate,” continued Galligan, who added: “This group of Mount Saint Michael football players are also an inspiration to the younger players at the school and at the moment we have 34 first years playing Gaelic football and that is due to the senior team playing so well.” 

Mount Saint Michael centre-forward Bree Hession praised her teammates and also said that there was great support for the team on the day in Duggan Park.

“We are just relieved to have got over the line in the end as during the middle part of the second-half we kind of let our lead slip, however, I am really proud of the team effort and it is great to have won.

“The support from the school was great and there were a few supporters’ buses which made the trip here today and it does help to hear the supporters cheering on the team.”